How To Find A Cheap Electric Car

Date: December 16, 2013

Publisher:

WeWantAnyCar

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There are over 4,000 electric cars on the road in Britain alone. Though we are a little less than three quarters of the way through 2013, this figure is expected to rise to around 6,000 before next year rolls around.

4,000 electric cars! This is something that most of those living in the United Kingdom probably find hard to believe. Though electric cars are a hot topic in the media, they are not yet a very common sight on the country’s many roads.

Part of the reason for this is that electric cars are expensive. The technology is so new and the demand for them isn’t yet that great that their manufacturers must price them accordingly – and, unfortunately, accordingly in this case means expensively.

But it is actually possible to find a cheap electric car. While these cars still won’t be as cheap as regular petrol burning automobiles, especially brand new ones, they certainly are much cheaper than the majority of people assume.

Below are a few of the best ways to find a cheap electric car in the UK. If you’re looking to save money on gas (and who isn’t), help the environment, and be on the cutting edge of technology, these tips are for you.

Electric Cars Pay for Themselves

Before starting out on your search for an electric car, it is important to understand that these vehicles tend to pay for themselves. Even the most expensive electric cars end up paying for themselves as far as savings from petrol go. In addition, electric cars have longer lifespans than regular automobiles and require far less costly basic maintenance.

Converted Cars

A good portion of the electric cars seen on the road in the United Kingdom today are converted cars. This means that they were actually converted over to electric from traditional cars.

Most converted electric cars were made by hobbyists or mechanics that specialize in such conversions. They basically obtain the body of a normal car, one that uses petrol, and then take the engine out. They replace the fuel burning engine with an engine that runs on electricity.

This process sounds expensive but it really isn’t as expensive as you might suspect. Most cars can be converted to electric for under £10,000. Many people can even have the procedure done for as little as £5,000 or less.

For those that don’t want to convert their own car into an electric model, converted electric cars can be found from specialized dealers or online. Many of these cars are in perfect shape, run like champs, and don’t cost any more than £20,000. In fact, it’s exceedingly rare to find one for more than that.

Used Electric Cars

Another great option for those that want to buy an electric car but don’t want to spend a lot is to buy used. Though electric cars are a relatively new phenomenon, there are actually quite a few used ones for sale.

Obviously, online listing sites like Craigslist are a great place to start your search. However, with electric cars it is generally better to find a local dealer or an individual that is looking to sell theirs. This gives you more security when it comes to buying a used vehicle.

Convert With a Used Engine

Unlike the engines of regular cars, electric car engines last for a long time with minimal wear. Because an electric engine is made of one piece, rather than dozens like a fuel burning automobiles, there is far less wear and tear involved.

In fact, electric engines can last for over thirty years with very little maintenance. Some don’t even need an ounce of maintenance in this period of time. For this reason, many people convert their fuel burning automobiles into electric automobiles by switching out their engines with used electric car engines. These generally cost far less than newer engines and are almost always in just as good shape.

Only time will tell if the electric car will really catch on in the United Kingdom and across the world. They are, however, already starting to pop up in greater and greater numbers. There is little denying that we’ll see at least a few more of them on the road in the next few years.

If you are interested in having one of these cars of your own, then the tips discussed above will help you find one for cheap. Electric cars are generally expensive but with a little know-how you can find cheap electric cars that won’t break the bank.

About the author
Laura Ginn knows that electric cars are the way forward in clean, green transportation, but worries about the cost of charging the car at home. She recommends that people who want to find out more about green energy check out uSwitch.com.

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